X-Rite buys Pantone : X-Rite announced it has entered into a definitive agreement to purchase Pantone, Inc. for $180 million. The deal between X-Rite and Pantone is expected to close in the fall of 2007. Pantone, Inc., headquartered in Carlstadt, New Jersey, is an authority on color inspiration for the design world with the Pantone Matching Shystem, an innovative system for identifying, matching and communicating colors to solve color reproduction problems in the graphic arts market. Pantone has expanded its color matching system to other industries where accurate color reproductions are critical, including digital technology, fashion, home, plastics, architecture and contract interiors, and paint.

Pantone - Products & Technology
Pantone generated revenue of approximately $42 million in 2006 with adjusted Ebitda (earnings before interest, taxes, depreciation and amortization) of approximately 27 percent of revenue. Pantone sells its products, services and technology directly, and through hundreds of licensees in over 100 countries in the graphic arts, fashion, home, interior, plastics, architectural, paint, industrial design and consumer markets.

X-Rite - Color communication & Standards
The transaction is expected to be accretive to X-Rite’s cash earnings per share during year two of the combined operations. X-Rite expects to achieve approximately $6.5 million of annual operating expense cost savings associated with the transaction in year two. During the first year, the company expects to incur cash restructuring costs of approximately $5.5 million. “Larry Herbert and his team have built Pantone into a very successful business and we are delighted that it will now be part of the X-Rite family,” said Tom Vacchiano, chief executive officer of X-Rite. “This iconic brand is the perfect complement to X-Rite’s business bringing Pantone’s expertise and market position in color communication and standards to our color solutions product offerings. We believe that this strategic acquisition will provide value for our shareholders, customers, employees and partners.”

X-Rite & Pantone - Strategic partnership
“We have proven expertise in integrating sizable, strategic acquisitions into our business,” Vacchiano continued. “We are confident that we can successfully blend the Pantone integration with our existing responsibilities as we evolve into a faster growing, more diverse business.” “Pantone and X-Rite have enjoyed a strategic partnership in providing color management solutions for the digital imaging market for the last two years,” stated Larry Herbert, chief executive officer of Pantone. “Our company is wholly committed to color communication and inspiration and we are enthusiastic about combining our growing business with X-Rite to apply even greater resources to this work.”

X-Rite buys Pantone - Financing
Pantone will become a new business unit within X-Rite. Current Pantone leaders will continue to play key roles in the organization. This transaction will be funded exclusively with cash, which will be financed through new borrowings. Merrill Lynch, Fifth Third Bank, National City Bank, LaSalle Bank and GoldenTree Asset Management, LP have committed to a total debt package of up to $415 million to fund the transaction and refinance X-Rite’s existing debt. The transaction is expected to close in the fall of 2007, subject to customary regulatory approvals.

X-Rite
X-Rite is a global leader in color measurement and color management, offering hardware, software and services for measuring, formulating and matching color. The Company serves a range of industries, including printing, packaging, photography, graphic design, video, automotive, paints, plastics, textiles, dental and medical. X-Rite serves customers worldwide from its offices in Europe, Asia and the Americas.

Pantone
Pantone, Inc. has been the world’s color authority for more than 40 years, providing design professionals with products and services for the colorful exploration and expression of creativity. Always a source for color inspiration, Pantone now offers paint and designer-inspired products and services for consumers.